Peer mentor program

Hi, my name is Ashley. I am currently studying psychology at university and I am really enjoying learning all about human behaviour. I absolutely adore my poodle Rolley, taking naps and Disneyland (my favourite place EVER!). My severe allergies include dairy, eggs and peanuts. I also have eosinophilic oesophagisis (EoE) and am allergic to tree nuts, wheat, soy, corn, sesame, barley, rye, lentils and shellfish due to this. I love being an Allergy 250K peer mentor because I am able to connect and develop great friendships with like-minded people with allergies, through shared experiences. Allergies don’t have to stop you from doing amazing things in life!

Hello! My name is Eloise and I am a Peer Mentor for Allergy 250K! I’m in my second year of studying music in Sydney. I love all things music related and my favourite thing to do is listen to live music! My allergies have changed quite a bit over my lifetime only leaving me with a severe allergy to peanuts and allergic to kiwi fruit, lentils and seafood but I’m super passionate about helping teens with allergy have amazing experiences whilst being safe and aware.

Hi everyone! I’m Kara. I live in Melbourne. In my free time I love to read, get involved with sports and work with people in my community. I have finished studying to be teacher, and I work at school.  At age 9, I had my first ever life-threatening allergic reaction to peanuts. Since then, I have acquired a very long list of allergies – peanuts, tree nuts, pine nuts, fruits, rye, poppy seed, cat and horse hair, dust mite, grass and paracetamol. I also have hay fever and chronic urticaria and a few other immune system-based conditions.  I enjoy being a peer mentor because I get to help other people and make some amazing new friends from all over the country.

Hi, my name is Alex, and I have multiple food allergies. I’m allergic to dairy, wheat, eggs, tree nuts, barley, rye and kiwifruit, which I’ve had since I was a baby. I also suffer from allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma and I am allergic to cats. I’m from Perth originally but after I finished university I moved out of home and across the country to Canberra for work. The picture of me is from when I worked at Parliament House. I hope to be able to demonstrate to kids with allergies (even if they have lots like me) that allergies won’t stop them from being able to achieve their life goals!

My name is Bella, I live on the Sunshine Coast. I am a wildlife photographer and love to travel and do yoga! My anaphylaxis risk allergies are milk, egg, fish and chicken. I also have eczema, rhinitis, asthma and a chronic inflammatory disease, eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), which I was diagnosed with at 18 months old. I have lived with allergies and allergic conditions for as long as I can remember. I used to struggle a lot growing up, making friends and socialising because of them. I am so happy that I can be a part of this peer mentor program because I wish camps like this existed when I was younger. I have had four anaphylaxis reactions growing up, the last time I had to use my EpiPen was 2020. Although living with allergies can be hard, I try to not let them get in the way of my dreams of travel and adventure.

Hello! My name is Laura. I live in Queensland. When I’m not working as a town planner, I love travelling, sailing and spending time with family and friends. I’ve had food allergies ever since I can remember, and currently manage severe allergies to peanuts, most treenuts and kiwifruit. My allergies have changed over the years, as I passed food challenges to eggs, macadamias, almonds and cashews. Although my allergies have always been part of who I am, I don’t let them hold me back – from studying at university to travelling and going on exchange. I even had a part-time job at a supermarket! I love being an Allergy 250K Peer Mentor and connecting and sharing experiences with other young people with allergies.

I’m Lauren and I’m from Sydney! I am currently studying Design and Creative Industries at university and love all things involving art, writing and visual communication. I developed exercise induced anaphylaxis when I was 16 and have been learning about severe allergies over the past few years. I absolutely love being a peer mentor and sharing experiences with others – I find that this is the best way to create new friendships, feel less alone and make fun memories!

Hello! I’m Austin, I’m from Victoria. I have a Bachelor of Exercise Sport Science from Victoria University. My allergies consist mainly of food and are Eggs, All Nuts and Dairy. I love reading, running, studying, watching movies, and hanging out with my mates. I love being part of the Allergy 250K Peer Mentor Program and helping young people push through the mental barriers of Anaphylaxis and live a full and enriching life.

Hey, I’m Liv and I’m from the Gold Coast. I am a disability support worker and advocate. I love working with young people in all capacities, so I am super keen to jump onboard the peer mentor team with Allergy 250k and show young people that there is hope for all of us with anaphylaxis to live amazing, fulfilling lives! I had my first allergic reaction to peanuts at three years old and have since discovered I am anaphylactic to peanuts and seafood. I also have allergies to apricots, pineapple, other nuts, horseflies, grass and a few other things. In my spare time, I’m a musician, a makeup artist and I love animals.

Hi! My name is Paris. I live in Sydney and am currently studying a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Strategic Communications at university. In my spare time I love rollerskating, hanging out with friends or learning Spanish. I am passionate about social change and spreading awareness about allergic disease and hope that one day, no one will ever have to use an EpiPen! I have been at risk of anaphylaxis to dairy, egg, seafood, fish and nuts my whole life and was diagnosed with exercise induced anaphylaxis at 12 years of age. Whilst this was difficult at times, it always served as a great excuse to get out of P.E. in high school! I’m super excited to be part of the Allergy 250K Peer Mentor Program and hope to inspire and uplift others through this program!

Hi, my name is Nikita. I have recently finished my uni degree in Computer Science and Maths in Canberra. I’m now working in cyber security in Queensland. In my spare time I love hip hop, martial arts and helping out at the dog shelter. I was diagnosed with allergies at 9 months old and I currently have dairy and nuts as an anaphylaxis risk and rhinitis. There are challenges to living with allergies but I think it is important for young people to know they can still achieve anything they want to in life.

Hi, I’m Rhiannon and I’ve had food allergies for as long as I can remember, with a severe allergy to nuts and mild allergy to eggs. I also have eczema, asthma, and hay fever. Growing up with these conditions and an interest in science inspired me to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Wollongong, NSW. Now I’m nearing the end of my PhD studies exploring new therapies for allergic asthma in Melbourne, with the hope to continue working on improving treatment options and developing our understanding of allergic diseases when I complete my studies. In my spare time I enjoy rock climbing and hiking (picture of me hiking in the Swiss Alps!). As an Allergy 250K Peer Mentor, I’d like to offer support to young people that I didn’t have growing up and to show them that allergies don’t have to hold you back!

Hi, my name is Rhea. I am currently studying Veterinary medicine and love everything about animals (although I used to be allergic to them). I also work as a youth advocate for the Queensland Government’s Queensland Family and Child Commission and love to volunteer with a lot of grassroots projects and organisations. I have recently grown out of my most allergies, but I’m still allergic to all nuts, dairy and egg. My favourite activities include playing with my dog cavoodle, Rumii and being outside in nature. For a long time, my allergies stopped me from going outside but now I’m lucky to experience the beauty of our natural world/wildlife and am very passionate about protecting it for future generations. I am excited to start my journey as a peer mentor. I strongly believe in the power of social connection through similar lived experiences, and I feel empowered meeting so many youth just like me.

Hi, my name is Emma. I live in Sydney, and I am currently studying Information Technology at TAFE. My hobbies are performing in musicals at my local Musical Theatre society, doing Physie (Dance Sport) and trying new outdoor experiences. I have severe allergies to all nuts, shellfish and egg. I had many more allergies from birth such as dairy, sesame, tree nuts, peanuts, kiwi fruit, shellfish, egg, fish, etc. but I outgrew the other allergens when I was 12. I also have asthma and eczema. I had my first anaphylaxis at six months old following a vaccination that was egg-based. Two of the other anaphylaxes I have experienced occurred when nuts were not disclosed. The first time was on food packaging and the other time was at a restaurant. The last anaphylaxis I had was a bi-phasic anaphylaxis. I am excited to join the Peer Mentor Program as I am passionate about helping children and teens with their allergies so they can feel safe and empowered to achieve their dreams.

Hello! My name is Jacob. I am currently studying sports and exercise science at university as I love learning the science behind how and why we exercise. I live on the far north coast of New South Wales in the small town of Evans Head. I am involved in many aspects throughout my local community, I work as a lifeguard at the local pools, volunteer on weekends at the Surf Lifesaving club and I have played for my local rugby union club, the Killer whales for the past three years. I have Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease (EGID), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in my left hip. I have anaphylaxis to eggs and mowed grass and severe allergies to dairy, gluten, nuts and most things honestly. Although I have always struggled to deal with my allergies, I have never let them stop me from doing what I love!

My name is Hope. I am currently studying at University and work as a part-time Support Worker as well as a manager in a popular retail outlet. In my free time I like to hang out with my dog, cat and two guinea pigs who I adore with my whole heart. I am quite an active person, but I also enjoy sitting down with a bowl of popcorn to watch a scary movie with my mum. I was diagnosed with egg anaphylaxis as a baby and it has impacted me my whole life. However, it is my goal to show other young people that it is possible to achieve so many great things even with allergies.

Hey! My name is Janani. I am currently doing a Bachelor of Medical Studies, continuing into Doctor of Medicine! Since birth, I’ve had eczema, asthma and many allergies (to nuts, dairy, egg and more). My experience dealing with those associated problems is really what motivated me to pursue medicine – and I am so excited to learn more about myself in the future. In my spare time, I love watching shows and movies (my favourite is The Office US!) and hanging out with my friends. I’m so happy to be an Allergy 250K Peer Mentor and can’t wait to meet more people like me!